This easy flavorful Cabbage Soup recipe is packed with nutrient-dense veggies and has a delicate smoky flavor. It’s the perfect low-calorie diet soup and has 98 kcals with the potatoes or 38 kcals without (making it low carb and keto). Syn free; 3 WW points (2 points without potatoes).
This might be a diet cabbage soup, but I actually make it all the time, because it just tastes so good!
If you're looking for a cabbage soup diet recipe, then this one's for you. if you're just looking for a tasty soup to use up cabbage, well heck, this recipe is for you too!
It's full of nutritious budget-friendly ingredients, it's super quick to whip up and a batch will last in the fridge for lunch all week.
This recipe is seriously simple to make when you're craving a bowl of comfort any time of the year!
I add potatoes. tothe soup to make it more filling (a bowl for lunch totally keeps me going until dinner time).
But if you want to make it a keto or low-carb cabbage soup recipe, then just leave out the spuds.
This recipe, without the oil (use a non-stick pan and a splash of water to cook the onions), has just 98 calories per generous serving. If you leave out the potatoes too, that takes it down to just 38 calories per bowl!
For those following the Weight Watchers diet plan, this soup has 3 points with the potatoes and 2 points without. If you follow Slimming World, this soup is syn free.
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Cabbage by itself can be bland. But when it’s mixed with a variety of vegetables in a flavorful soup stock, it turns into something amazing!
My trick is to use lots of smoked paprika to give the cabbage soup recipe a real kick and huge dose of flavor.
I love making this soup when I’m feeling like I need to eat a large comforting meal but without all of the excess calories.
It's a filling, low-calorie healthy soup for lunch that will keep you full until dinner time.
It’s the perfect take on magic weight loss miracle soup for a cleanse or diet that you can enjoy that’ll help you feel full and satisfied.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This cabbage soup recipe could help aid in weight loss, cleanse and detox diets as it’s very little calories for a large bowl.
When you think of cabbage soup, you might think of a boring bland bowl of cabbage water. But this soup is seriously tasty and full of smokey flavor!
The ingredients are extremely budget-friendly making it a great option for those who are trying to save money while still eating healthy.
If you're looking for a cabbage soup diet recipe that actually tastes good, this is it!
Whether you're looking for a healthy diet soup or not, you'll love this tasty, easy, flavorful vegetable soup.
It can easily be made into a low carb or keto cabbage soup by omitting the potatoes from the recipe.
The scraps from making the soup can be saved or frozen to make a nutrient dense vegetable stock.
A great soup for those who are following Weight Watchers or Slimming World eating plans!
Ingredients & Tools
Oil - A minimal amount of oil is needed to cook up the onions and potatoes. You can reduce or omit this amount by using a non-stick soup pot.
Onion - A classic aromatic vegetable that goes in most any soup.
Potatoes - Gives the soup a hearty texture and helps keep you full. You can leave them out to make this an even more low calorie soup and to make it low carb. However, it won't be so satisfying and filling.
Smoked Paprika - Gives the soup a smoky flavor while adding a lovely strong paprika flavor.
Vegetable Stock - Flavors the soup additionally with the cooked down vegetables. Store bought stock/broth or bullion all work or make your own vegetable stock.
Water - Used to help increase the volume of the soup and dilute the intense flavors.
Canned Tomatoes - Gives the soup an acidic flavor, texture and red color. Any canned tomatoes should work - whole/plum ones will need to be broken up a bit.
Chopped Cabbage - This adds nutrition and bulk. You can use green cabbage, savoy cabbage, pointed or soft napa cabbage.
Ground Black Pepper - Helps flavor the soup. Just add it to taste. The stock will make this soup salty enough, so you should have no need to add any.
Step By Step Tutorial
Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.
Chop the potatoes (if using) and the onion.
Heat the oil in a large soup pot (you can omit if using a non-stick pan), then add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft.
Add the potatoes and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring often.
Stir in the paprika and cook for 1 more minute, then add the stock, water and tomatoes.
Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir the chopped cabbage and pepper and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Taste and season further if desired.
Tips
To make this recipe completely oil free, use a non-stick soup pan to saute the onion and potatoes.
Stir in the cabbage last and let it wilt naturally with the heat of the broth. This will help keep the cabbage from having a mushy texture.
If you are omitting the potatoes from the recipe for a low carb version, be sure to use less water as potatoes help thicken the soup naturally.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a glass of this anti-inflammatory Turmeric Tonic.
If you’re not watching your calories soak up the soup with a delicious piece of crusty Naan Bread.
Sprinkle in some Vegan Chicken Seasoning for additional flavor. Or use it to make Vegan Chicken Broth instead of vegetable stock.
Make dinner a soup and salad combo by adding a side of this Strawberry Spinach Salad. It would be great with Green Salad with pumpkin seed dressing too.
Variations
Spice your diet cabbage soup up by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeno to the mix. A big pinch of dried chili flakes works too.
Add some fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or basil.
Use a mix of napa cabbage and white cabbage for a slightly different flavor and texture.
Add more non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms and bell peppers.
Add a teaspoon or two of Old Bay Seasoning.
Give it a light curry flavor by adding 1 tablespoon of your favorite dry curry seasoning powder.
Give this cabbage soup a Middle Eastern flavor with a teaspoon of Baharat spice blend.
Increase the protein content by adding some canned chickpeas or cubes of extra firm tofu (toss them in a little cornstarch first, spray a frying pan with low-calorie oil and pan fry until slightly crispy).
Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a dash of color and fresh flavor.
Give the soup a bit more acidity and nutrition by adding the juice of one lemon.
Special diets
To Make it Gluten Free: This vegetable soup is naturally gluten free but make sure you check your labels for any gluten containing ingredients. Double check your vegetable stock and paprika just in case.
To Make Vegan Cabbage Soup: This soup recipe is made with 100% vegan and vegetarian ingredients. Ensure you use vegan stock.
NOTE: I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. If you have a food allergy or intolerance you should determine whether the ingredients in each recipe are suitable for you.
Storage
Storing: This soup will store well in the fridge if it is stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: This soup can be frozen if it’s cooled completely and poured into a freezer-safe container or bags. Be sure to leave room in the container for it to expand. Freezes well for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop after thawing completely in the fridge.
FAQs
This recipe has roughly 98calories per large serving. The calorie count will vary depending on the ingredients you use. To make it even lower calorie, leave out the potatoes (though it will be less filling) and this recipe is just 38calories. Both calorie counts are for the soup made without oil.
Absolutely! Many versions of this soup are popular in diets and cleanses because cabbage soup not only has minimal calories but also packs in some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
This is all dependent on what cleanse or diet you follow and how much of the cabbage soup you eat, as well as other food consumed. It also depends on your personal health background. But generally, eating fewer calories and moving more is the way to lose weight. This low calorie soup can help as part of a balanced diet. Be sure to consult with a doctor before making any changes to your diet or health regime.
More Healthy Soup Recipes
Cauliflower Soup
Potato Leek Soup
Lentil Soup
Jerusalem Artichoke Soup
Pea Soup (make it with frozen peas and just 3 other pantry ingredients!)
Tomato Soup
Kale Soup
Spinach Soup
Mexican Bean Soup
Check out my list of the 25 Best Vegan Soup Recipes
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Check out the Veggie Desserts + Cakes cookbook on Amazon
📖 Recipe
Cabbage Soup
Equipment
- Soup pot
- stove
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon oil omit if using a non-stick pot
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 ½ cups peeled chopped potatoes 2 small potatoes, 250g
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 4 cups (1 litre) vegetable stock
- 2 cups (450ml) water
- 1 14oz/495g can chopped tomatoes
- 2 cups (450g) chopped cabbage
- Large pinch freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil (if using) in a large soup pot, then add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft but not browned.Note: If using a non-stick pot omit the oil and add a splash of water if the onions start to stick.
- Add the potatoes and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the paprika and cook for 1 more minute, then add the stock, water and tomatoes. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the chopped cabbage and pepper and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Taste and season further if desired.
- Divide into bowls and serve. Will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- To make this recipe completely oil free, use a non-stick soup pan to saute the onion and potatoes.
- Stir in the cabbage last and let it wilt naturally with the heat of the broth. This will help keep the cabbage from having a mushy texture.
- If you are omitting the potatoes from the recipe for a low carb version, be sure to use less water as potatoes help thicken the soup naturally.
- Spice your diet cabbage soup up by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeno to the mix. A big pinch of dried chili flakes works too.
- Add some fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or basil.
- Use a mix of napa cabbage and white cabbage for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Add more non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Add a teaspoon or two of Old Bay Seasoning.
- Give it a light curry flavor by adding 1 tablespoon of your favorite dry curry seasoning powder.
- Give this cabbage soup a Middle Eastern flavor with a teaspoon of Baharat spice blend.
- Increase the protein content by adding some canned chickpeas, shredded chicken or cubes of extra firm tofu (toss them in a little cornstarch first, spray a frying pan with low-calorie oil and pan fry until slightly crispy).
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Sharon
I just made this yesterday and it was great, I did make a few changes as follows…I used Chicken Stock in place of Veg.broth because that’s what I had, also I added can of cut green beans along with a few red pepper flakes and the juice of half a Myers lemon off my tree…it was delish! Oh I also put about 2 tablespoons of ketchup for a little sweetness, I learned that trick from an extremely popular NY deli in Las Vegas. I will definitely be making this again, I loved the potatoes in it. Thanks for sharing.
Maria
Wow. This was just delicious. So tasty everyone wanted some.
Toni
I seriously love this soup! So comforting and really delish!
Maria
Now that's a diet food I won't get miserable eating! Thanks for this recipe it's so tasty!
Gail Montero Raines
I just bought sone cabbage and wondered what to do with it so thank you for this delicious inspiration!
Kalu Lor
Cabbage is an underrated vegetable that needs more love. I love that this soup is so simple, but at the same time so full of flavors.